In a statement, the commission said, it has considered the matter and approved the proposal of the lifting of the provisions of Model Code of Conduct.

Chief Electoral officer of Odisha had written a letter to the EC in this regard to facilitate speedy rescue, relief and restoration activities to successfully face cyclone.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Tuesday requested the Election Commission to withdraw the model code of conduct from all the coastal districts of the state and postpone polling in Patkura Assembly seat in view of the severe cylonic storm Fani heading towards the east coast.

The Metrological Department in a bulletin has said that Fani is very likely to cross Odisha coast between Gopalpur and Chandbali, to the south of Puri around May 3 afternoon with maximum sustained wind of speed 175-185 kmph and gusting to 205 kmph.

Patnaik who rushed to the national capital a day after the completion of the fourth phase elections in the state, met the Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora and other members of the Election Commission.

During the meeting, officers of all the concerned state governments confirmed their full preparedness to deal with any emerging situation arising out of the cyclonic storm.

Further, the state governments have adequately warned fishermen not to venture into the sea and highlighted that there is a seasonal ban on fishing in the sea up to 14 June due to breeding season. state governments were advised to effectively enforce this ban.

The National Disaster Management Authority has meanwhile issued an advisory to people to deal with the cyclone.

In its advisory, it has:

- asked people to IGNORE rumours and STAY CALM and not to panic before the cyclone

- KEEP their mobile phones CHARGED to ensure connectivity; use SMS

- LISTEN to the radio, watch TV, read newspapers for weather updates

- Prepare an EMERGENCY KIT with essential items for safety and survival

Congress president Rahul Gandhi has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court, expressing regret over his remarks related to its Rafale verdict which the apex court had said was "incorrectly attributed" to it.

The Supreme court on April 15 had directed Gandhi to give his explanation by April 22. In the affidavit, Rahul Gandhi said he had made the statements in the heat of political campaigning which have been misused by his opponents.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi had made it clear that Gandhi's remarks, made in the media, on the Rafale verdict were incorrectly attributed to the Supreme court.

The apex court had sought Gandhi's explanation on a petition filed by BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi, who has sought criminal contempt against the Congress president.

The Supreme court is scheduled to hear the matter on Tuesday. Meenakshi Lekhi said the media that it is an admission of guilt and thus Contempt. Considering the need to protect the integrity of the court in these testing times, such an admission is a vindication of the petition.